Quinnipiac University
Iona
QU Women's Soccer Opens MAAC Play with 1-1 Draw against Iona
9/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
- Box Score
- QU Women's Soccer Homepage
- QU Women's Soccer Schedule (Downloadable on iCalendar)
- MAAC Women's Soccer Homepage
- Free Video Replay - QU vs. Iona
HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac University women's soccer team claimed a point in its very first MAAC game on Wednesday afternoon, as the Bobcats played Iona College to a 1-1 draw through double overtime at the QU Soccer Field in Hamden.
A high-octane affair, Quinnipiac and Iona both created several good looks at goal – each coming away with just the one after the final whistle. The two teams combined for over 40 shots, 15 of which were on frame.
Quinnipiac struck first in the 29th minute of play, when persistence paid off for the Bobcats. Quinnipiac worked the ball into the Iona penalty box on a cross from Jess Lavoie (Berlin, Conn.) and managed to put three shots on target in a span of 10 seconds. Amanda Barroca (Bellmore, N.Y.) had the first shot blocked, Sarah Pandolfi's (North Haven, Conn.) next attempt was saved, but a second strike from Amanda Barroca (Bellmore, N.Y.) found the back of the twine for a 1-0 lead. It was her first goal of the season and the second of her career.
Momentum favored Quinnipiac throughout the remainder of the first half and the Bobcats carried a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. A tale of two halves however, Iona came out with energy in the second half, and quickly put Quinnipiac back on its heels. Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Iona capitalized on a miscue in the defensive third which put Charlotte Stuart through on a breakaway. Stuart cashed in on the opportunity and Iona tied the score at 1-1.
Iona fed off the goal and pressed forward for another. Quinnipiac's defense was tremendous under pressure, led by junior goalkeeper Natalia Grodzki (Bartlett, Ill.). She matched a season-high with seven saves, three in the second half, including two spectacular diving saves to preserve the deadlock. 90 minutes couldn't separate the two teams, sending the match into overtime.
The first overtime belonged to Iona, who mustered four shots in the 10 minute frame. Again though, momentum switched sides, as Quinnipiac picked up the intensity in the second overtime. Pandolfi, who was the most dangerous player on the field all game long, finished with seven shots in the game – two in overtime that just sailed high over the crossbar. After 110 minutes of soccer, the 1-1 score held up and granted each team their first tie of the season.
Grodzki's counterpart, McBrier, finished with six saves in net for the Gaels. Iona moved to 4-5-1 overall.
Quinnipiac and Iona needed overtime to determine a winner in last season's matchup, the Gaels getting the better of the Bobcats, 1-0. Quinnipiac owns the all-time series record though, 9-4-1, since the very first meeting 28 years ago.
Up next, the Bobcats hit the road again for their second MAAC matchup of the season. Quinnipiac heads way up north to Niagara University on Saturday, Sept. 27 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Fans can also follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
